Shape the Future of Western Australia

Join a department that’s powering WA’s energy transition and building a bold, diverse economy for generations to come. At the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED), your work will help drive innovation, support local businesses, and position WA on the global stage. If you're ready to make a real impact - this is where your next chapter begins.

About the Department

DEED is responsible for securing the State’s energy and economic future, driving innovation and long-term prosperity for all. This includes:

• Ensuring Western Australia is a reliable, efficient and attractive place to do business
• Increasing business investment
• Fostering Western Australia’s skills and capacity now and into the future
• Driving the energy transition

The Department is guided by the following principles which shape our culture, decision-making and strategic direction:

• Lead with empathy and integrity: Act with kindness, respect and care for colleagues, stakeholders and communities. Be authentic and transparent, making grounded decisions that balance immediate needs with long-term priorities.
• Collaborate and connect: Build trust and strong relationships across teams, regions and international offices. Break down silos, share expertise and engage stakeholders constructively to deliver better outcomes together.
• Take ownership and be accountable: Lead at every level by taking initiative, leaning on strengths and empowering others. Define roles, responsibilities and decision pathways clearly, ensuring accountability is visible and consistent.
• Focus on progress and continuous improvement: Prioritise finding practical solutions. Reflect, learn and adapt quickly to changing circumstances, continuously improving processes to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication.
• Stay aligned to purpose and impact: Keep connected to DEED’s bigger picture, enabling Western Australia’s long-term prosperity. Align actions to strategy, work across government and deliver innovative solutions that create enduring value for the community.

About the Role

Tenure: This is a fixed-term, full-time appointment for a period of 12 months

Building and strengthening DEED’s reputation and identity, shaping its narrative and building effective engagement with government, industry and the community requires strategic leadership at the highest level.

The newly created Executive Director Communications will lead DEED’s integrated communications, stakeholder engagement and brand function. As the Department’s principal advisor on communications and engagement, the Executive Director will ensure DEED communicates with clarity, consistency and purpose across all audiences.

Reporting to the Director General and serving as a member of the Corporate Executive, the Executive Director will set the Department’s communications strategy and direction. The role will lead DEED’s approach to proactive policy and engagement opportunities, and provide a coordinated response to contentious issues.  The role involves building strong relationships with Ministers, senior executives, government agencies, industry leaders and other key stakeholders. Through this work, the Executive Director will help position DEED as a credible, trusted and influential public sector organisation.

The role leads an integrated team responsible for media and issues management, executive and government communications, internal and change communications, stakeholder engagement, brand and digital communications, campaigns and events.

A significant focus during the first 12 months will be building the integrated team and leading through change in a visible, collaborative and inclusive way. This will include working with employees, senior leaders and government stakeholders to develop practical ways of working, establish clear accountabilities and shared standards, strengthen engagement and trust, and build a sustainable, high-performing and integrated communications function.

What You Will Bring

You are an experienced and contemporary executive leader who operates confidently in complex, high-profile and fast-moving environments. You bring exceptional strategic judgement, a sophisticated understanding of the broader government and stakeholder landscape, and a demonstrated ability to influence outcomes at the highest levels.

You have extensive experience in reputation management, media management and strategic communications, together with a proven ability to advise executives and Ministers on complex, sensitive and high-profile matters. Your leadership style is collaborative and inclusive, and you are committed to developing capability, building trust and fostering a strong organisational culture.

You can lead effectively through ambiguity and change, anticipate emerging issues and identify opportunities that advance Government and departmental priorities.

Essential Requirements

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Substantial executive-level experience providing strategic leadership of communications, stakeholder engagement and brand functions in complex and dynamic environments.
• Experience driving organisational performance, establishing contemporary operating models and building multidisciplinary, high-performing teams.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or significant relevant experience.

Further information about the role and the expected leadership behaviours can be found in the attached Job Description Form. Assessment of leadership behaviours may be included in the recruitment process.

Pre-Screening and Eligibility Requirements

• Suitable proof of identity.
• Permanent Resident or Citizen of Australia.
• A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), commonly known as a police clearance, is required with a satisfactory outcome.
• Some positions may also require an Australian Government Security Clearance.

Why Join DEED?

This is an opportunity to lead a newly integrated communications function at a critical time in the Department's evolution and help shape how Western Australia's key economic and energy priorities are communicated and understood.

You will join a collaborative executive team committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for Western Australians while fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion, accountability and continuous improvement.

How to apply

To apply, click ‘Apply for Job’ at top or bottom of this page and follow the prompts. Please submit the following:

• A covering letter (maximum two pages) outlining your motivation for applying for this role and demonstrating your skills and experience in relation to the requirements outlined in the Job Description Form.
• A current CV detailing your skills, work history and key achievements. Please include contact details of two referees, ideally including your current or most recent line manager.

Your application must be submitted online. To avoid any last-minute system issues, we recommend submitting your application well ahead of the closing time.

DEED may conduct further search activities or extend the closing date, if required to supplement the field of applicants. 

Interested in more information?

For information regarding this position, you are encouraged to contact Therese Stralow, Managing Director, Price Consulting Group on 0472 827 847.

To learn more about what we do and how to prepare your application, please refer to the Applicant Information Pack.

Supporting diversity and inclusion

As an equal opportunity employer, the department is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Preference may be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people of diverse sexualities, and young people.

If you have any communication or access needs and require adjustments to take part in the application process, please contact our Talent Team at talent@deed.wa.gov.au. We are committed to providing a fair and supportive recruitment experience for everyone.

Additional job information

Applications must be submitted prior to the closing date and time specified in the job advertisement. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Applicants deemed suitable may be considered for appointment to similar roles within the department for up to 12 months following the completion of this recruitment process.

Successful candidates will be required to obtain a National Police Clearance before commencing employment. Some positions may also require an Australian Government Security Clearance.

Closing Date: Your online application must be submitted online prior to the closing date and time - 4:00 PM (AWST) on Wednesday, 28 October 2026